MLB Rumors

Twins shortstop Pedro Florimon has started a season-high nine straight games heading into Thursday's game at Detroit. His previous high was five consecutive starts.

Florimon has totaled five multi-hit games in 15 May starts. He's batting .250 (13 for 52) with two doubles, two home runs, five stolen bases, nine runs, 10 RBI and 12 strikeouts in that span.

Indians reliever David Huff was designated for assignment Thursday. Huff posted a 15.00 ERA in three relief outings.

The Indians recalled reliever Scott Barnes from Triple-A Columbus Thursday. Barnes posted a 4.50 ERA in three relief outings earlier this season for Cleveland.

Yankees executives were once again pleased with how well starting pitcher Michael Pineda (shoulder) threw in extended spring training Thursday, according to the New York Post. Pineda was averaging 93 mph on his fastball Thursday.

The plan is for Pineda to make one more extended spring appearance before a 30-day rehab assignment. The Yankees will then decide to add Pineda to the major-league roster or option him to Triple-A for more refinement.

As he showed Wednesday against the Cubs, Pirates reliever Mark Melancon is fully capable of stepping into a high-pressure situation in the ninth inning. And, as he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Thursday, Melancon relishes the opportunity.

"It's so much fun to be out there, closing out the game," Melancon said. "It's my favorite thing."

Melancon has been lights-out as a set up man this season, allowing just one run in his last 17 appearances, and the team clearly feels comfortable with him as a possible backup in case Jason Grilli falters.

"I love the fact that Mark's been battle tested," Hurdle said. "He's had some good opportunities, including some that have not worked out well. He's dealt with adversity. Those have become strengths for him. He is in a good place, personally and professionally. He's taking care of today and what opportunities he has today. Who knows what the rest of this season will provide?"

Melancon had 20 saves in 2011 for the Astros, but just one in each of the last two seasons. 

Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino was held out of the starting lineup for a third straight game Thursday vs. Cleveland because of a hamstring injury. On Wednesday, Red Sox manager John Farrell said Victorino was improving and might return to the lineup this weekend.

Red Sox starting pitcher Franklin Morales (back, pectoral) moved his rehab assignment from Triple-A Pawtucket to Double-A Portland Thursday. Morales picked up the win as he allowed one unearned run on six hits and two walks in five innings, while striking out three.

Since restarting his rehab assignment May 8, Morales has made two starts for Portland and two starts for Pawtucket. He is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in two starts for Pawtucket and 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts for Portland.

Red Sox catcher David Ross (concussion) went 1 for 3 with one double, one RBI and one run Thursday as he kicked off a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland. Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday the team planned to activate Ross after playing one rehab game, according to the Boston Globe.

Rangers manager Ron Washington has been as hard on outfielder Leonys Martin as he was on Elvis Andrus before he developed into an All-Star shortstop, MLB.com notes.

"Martin is a very good baseball player and he certainly has the ceiling to get better," Washington said. "How good? I think we'll just have to wait and see."

Martin continues to split playing time in center field with Craig Gentry as he learns how to adjust to a 162-game schedule. However, his playing time has been on the rise lately because his offensive production has taken off. Martin has started eight of the last 10 games through Wednesday and has hit safely in seven straight (.381).

Still, Washington feels Martin has plenty of room to improve offensively.

"I think he's still trying to find that," Washington said. "The thing is he's getting comfortable and getting his confidence together, and that's the key."

The Mets have no immediate plans to send first baseman Ike Davis down to Triple-A, but a source told the New York Daily News that a decision could be made after the weekend series against the Braves, beginning Friday. General manager Sandy Alderson is not in town until Monday, which could be a part of the reason a decision has not been made, according to the report. 

Davis is batting just .147 with a .482 on-base plus slugging percentage through the season's first 42 games, and rumbles about a possible demotion are growing louder by the day. He is 1 for his last 38 to drop him to last among qualified hitters in batting average.